Wednesday, January 23, 2008

McKinney ISD names two new middle school principals

By Pegasus News wire

MCKINNEY - The McKinney ISD Board of Trustees named two new middle school principals at a work-study board meeting held on January 22, 2008.

Not provided by MISD

Congratulations, newbies. Eight years of teaching certification later and now you're little more than a spitwad target in the well-lit jungle of a thousand wicked smiles.

The District recently interviewed candidates for the principal position of its newest school, Dr. Jack Cockrill Middle School, to open in the fall of this year. Dr. Melinda DeFelice, currently principal of Scott Johnson Middle School, was named the principal of Dr. Jack Cockrill Middle School.

“Dr. DeFelice has a proven track record of success as a middle school principal,” said Tom Crowe, McKinney ISD Superintendent of Schools. “She is an exceptional leader and has the experience and vision required to open a new school. We are very excited about naming her the new principal of Cockrill Middle School.”

Dr. DeFelice has served as the principal of Scott Johnson since 2004. Prior to serving at Scott Johnson she was the associate principal of McKinney High School and also served as an assistant principal at Dowell Middle School. In addition, she was an assistant principal at Richardson Jr. High School and taught at Richardson High School and Lake Highlands High School. Dr. DeFelice has worked in McKinney ISD since 2001 and has worked in public education for 17 years.

Dr. DeFelice received a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education from the University of North Texas and a Master of Education Administration, a Master of Education in Secondary Education, and a Doctorate of Education Degree in Administration from Texas A&M University at Commerce.

Kathy Foster, currently the principal at Caldwell Elementary School, was named the new principal of Scott Johnson Middle School. Mrs. Foster has served as the principal of Caldwell since 2002. She also served as the principal of Wolford Elementary School from 2000 to 2002. Prior to serving eight years as an elementary principal, Mrs. Foster served as an assistant principal at Faubion Middle School for three years and as an academic specialist at the school. She also taught reading and language arts, gifted and talented, and theatre at Vivian Field Middle School in Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD. She has worked in public education for over 17 years.

Mrs. Foster earned a Bachelor of Science in Education and a Master of Education from the University of North Texas.

“Mrs. Foster has the unique experience of working with students at both the middle school and elementary school levels,” said Mr. Crowe. “She has done a remarkable job at Caldwell Elementary School. She will be able to draw upon her experiences at the secondary level, but also understands the challenges that students face in transitioning from the elementary to the middle school level. She will be a phenomenal leader at Scott Johnson Middle School and we feel fortunate to have two great administrators leading these campuses.”

For more information about the McKinney Independent School District, contact Cody Cunningham, Assistant to the Superintendent for Communications at 469-742-4095 or by e-mail at cocunningham@mckinneyisd.net.

Source: McKinney ISD

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